Sydney Sweeney Regrets Silent Response to Jeans Ad Backlash, Says It Widened Divide
The HBO star's silence during a heated controversy over an American Eagle jeans advert was widely seen as a missed opportunity to address concerns that the ad had undertones of eugenics and white supremacy.
Critics slammed the campaign for its use of a blond-haired, blue-eyed model proclaiming her love for the brand's jeans, with some likening it to "Nazi propaganda". Donald Trump even chimed in, calling the advert the "hottest ad out there". Meanwhile, financial magazine Forbes advised American Eagle to reconsider the campaign, citing declining store visits.
Sweeney has now spoken out about her decision not to address the backlash at the time. In a recent interview with People magazine, she expressed regret over staying silent, stating that it "widened the divide" between people rather than closing it. The actress made it clear that she is against hate and divisiveness, and instead hopes that the new year brings more focus on what connects us.
Sweeney's silence was seen as a surprising move by some, particularly given her high profile and reputation for promoting inclusivity. However, she explained in her interview that she had done so because she genuinely loves the jeans and brand, and did not support the views associated with the campaign.
The backlash against American Eagle has been significant, with its stock rising 30% following the launch of the "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans" campaign. Nevertheless, the controversy highlights a deeper issue in society – the ease with which hate speech and divisive rhetoric can spread, often with seemingly innocuous or trivial messages being hijacked by extremist ideologies.
As Sweeney's career continues to soar, she will likely be closely watched as an example of how celebrities use their platforms to promote positivity and inclusivity. Her statement on this issue serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, we have a choice about how we respond – and the words we choose can either widen or narrow the divide between us.
The HBO star's silence during a heated controversy over an American Eagle jeans advert was widely seen as a missed opportunity to address concerns that the ad had undertones of eugenics and white supremacy.
Critics slammed the campaign for its use of a blond-haired, blue-eyed model proclaiming her love for the brand's jeans, with some likening it to "Nazi propaganda". Donald Trump even chimed in, calling the advert the "hottest ad out there". Meanwhile, financial magazine Forbes advised American Eagle to reconsider the campaign, citing declining store visits.
Sweeney has now spoken out about her decision not to address the backlash at the time. In a recent interview with People magazine, she expressed regret over staying silent, stating that it "widened the divide" between people rather than closing it. The actress made it clear that she is against hate and divisiveness, and instead hopes that the new year brings more focus on what connects us.
Sweeney's silence was seen as a surprising move by some, particularly given her high profile and reputation for promoting inclusivity. However, she explained in her interview that she had done so because she genuinely loves the jeans and brand, and did not support the views associated with the campaign.
The backlash against American Eagle has been significant, with its stock rising 30% following the launch of the "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans" campaign. Nevertheless, the controversy highlights a deeper issue in society – the ease with which hate speech and divisive rhetoric can spread, often with seemingly innocuous or trivial messages being hijacked by extremist ideologies.
As Sweeney's career continues to soar, she will likely be closely watched as an example of how celebrities use their platforms to promote positivity and inclusivity. Her statement on this issue serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, we have a choice about how we respond – and the words we choose can either widen or narrow the divide between us.
. Sydney Sweeney's response seems like a PR stunt to me. She says she was just a fan of the brand and didn't want to get involved, but come on, that's just a weak excuse. She was in the spotlight for days over this ad, so it's hard to believe she genuinely didn't have an opinion. And what about all those people who were triggered by the ad? Did she really not think about how her silence would affect them? 
The fact that Forbes is advising brands to be more considerate of their ads and Sweeney is now speaking out doesn't change the fact that this whole thing feels like a calculated move. And btw, 30% stock rise following the launch of the campaign? That's just suspicious 
. Sydney Sweeney didn't need to speak up, but at the same time, she should've addressed it 
. Now it's all about how her silence made it worse 
. What do you think? Should celebrities always be ready with a response or can they just enjoy their fave jeans like normal people 
she's literally doin her own thang and not lettin anyone bring her down over some stupid ad 
i mean i get why ppl were all up in arms about it but come on... its just an ad! 
like hello its just a model tryna sell some jeans lololol. and good on her 4 speakin out now tho 
its not always easy 2 speak truth 2 power esp when ur in the public eye 
i think shes doin a great job of using her platform 2 promote positivity & inclusivity 
especially since ppl r already so divided rn 
she was definitely in a good position to speak out against the ad and address those concerns, but at the same time, she's got a right to love her jeans and promote them if that's what she wants. maybe she could've found a way to do both? it feels like she missed an opportunity to use her platform for something more meaningful 
. at the same time, her regret for staying silent makes me think about how we use social media to amplify or drown out certain voices 
. like, what's the responsibility of a celebrity with a huge following? should they always be "on" and ready to defend themselves or others? 
. let's keep having these conversations about how we can use our platforms for good 
.
But seriously, it's a tough spot, and she handled it with class.
. The thing is, celebrities are super influential, and when they stay mum, it can embolden extremists. But when they speak out against hate, it can be a game-changer 
. I'm rooting for Sweeney to keep promoting positivity and inclusivity – we need more role models like her in the public eye 
IT'S LIKE SHE REALIZED HOW BIG OF A DEAL HER SILENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN AND DECIDED TO MAKE A CHANGE. I GUESS I WOULDN'T HAVE DARED TO SPOKE UP EITHER IF I WAS IN HER SHOES, BUT SHE'S JUST SO INSPIRING AND IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE HER WHO CARE ABOUT USING THEIR PLATFORM FOR GOOD 
.
honestly tho, it is wild how easily ppl got worked up over this ad 
and now american eagle's stock is thru the roof 
which is nice, but feels kinda half-hearted to me 
I'm actually kinda stoked that Sydney Sweeney spoke up now, it's like she was trying to do the right thing but felt stuck in the moment 
. Now that the dust has settled a bit, her words are making people think about how we respond to backlash and whether staying silent can be seen as perpetuating hate 
, it's all about choosing our words and actions wisely 
. Anyway, let's focus on spreading love and kindness in 2025 
. Sweeney's statement is a good start, but I'd love to see some real action from her and others in the industry 
what's great is that she's speaking out against hate and divisiveness now and hopefully more people will follow her lead